The Story of the Socks

I'm not a morning person.  I struggle every day to get myself out the door without being late.  I sometimes think one of the biggest reasons that I "hate" the wintertime is because I have to wear shoes.  It takes too long to put on socks and shoes when you struggle to get out the door in the morning.  It takes even longer when the socks or shoes you want happen to be MIA because you have organization issues and don't make it a habit to put things away (you know, like mom always preached).

So last Tuesday morning, I come downstairs on my way to work.  I know my shoes are downstairs.  I have remembered to grab my book and cell phone (the necessities) off my nightstand.  I have not remembered socks.

But here's where being disorganized comes in handy.  I had a pair of clean black dress socks on my buffet in the dining room.  As I'm grabbing my shoes that I'd kicked off the night before in my living room, I'm cheering in my head that I won't have to go back upstairs for a pair of socks!  I mean really, who has time for that!?

As I'm reflecting on this "win" later, I feel myself going from cheering in my head to hanging my head in shame.  WHY are there even socks on my buffet in the dining room?  I know they had been there for probably a week, but I no longer can recall how or why they were left there.  But, I had walked past them enough times to be cognizant of their presence.

As I went through the week, I unearthed two pairs of clean workout socks that weren't in their proper home, either.  One pair in my car and one in the tote bag I use going back and forth to work.  Finding clean socks is certainly better than finding dirty socks.  But finding no socks would certainly be better than finding no socks. 

I've started out 2020 with a goal to get my home in order.  This whole sock incident just helped highlight for me how much I really need to do this.  At the end of last summer, I had a friend recommend the blog "A Slob Comes Clean" and the book "How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind" by Dana K. White.  I bought the book and it lived on my nightstand, unread, for 3 or 4 months.  I picked it up last week and went through it in 3 days.  She speaks my truth. 

I had never considered myself a "Slob" - but it fits.  I can keep my kitchen and bathrooms clean, but there's clutter everywhere.  And clutter = chaos = a home that I spend a lot of my time ashamed of instead of proud of, when I'm working my butt off to maintain it financially and physically.

As for the socks, I now have a pair of dirty dress socks in my laundry hamper and two pairs of clean workout socks in the drawer where they belong until I need them. 

I'm going to end with a warning...  I have a feeling that a LOT of cleaning epiphanies are coming in the near future.  Get ready for the ride!